Emelin had the procedure to repair the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his left knee in May. Until the injury, Emelin was enjoying a breakout season in Montreal, establishing career highs in assists (nine), points (12) and plus-minus (plus-2) in his second NHL season.

The Canadiens have been anticipating the return of the 27-year-old. A third-round pick (No. 84) in the 2004 NHL Draft, Emelin provides a physical element to the Montreal defense that has been missing in the early part of this season. Though he missed the final 10 games of 2012-13, Emelin finished first on the Canadiens with 110 hits.

With Emelin back in the lineup, Douglas Murray, who signed with Montreal as a free agent in August, will be a healthy scratch.